Health Communication Experiences of Emerging Adults with Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: In an effort to refine a model of clinical care identifying effective communication with health care providers (HCPs) as a key skill for successful transition to adult medical care, this study explored the perspectives of emerging adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) about factors that impact the quality and content of communication with their HCPs.

Methods: Twenty emerging adults with T1D were interviewed about health communication experiences with their pediatric HCP and readiness for transition to adult diabetes care. Interviews were recorded and transcribed; three raters coded transcripts using conventional content analysis for broad themes.

The Pivotal Role of Imaging in TAVR Procedures.

Purpose Of Review: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is underpinned by an array of imaging techniques designed to not only select an appropriately sized implant but also to identify potential obstacles to procedural success. This review presents currently important aspects of TAVR imaging, describing the salient features of each modality as well as recent developments in the field.

Recent Findings: The latest data on TAVR outcomes reflects the increasing experience of operators and the significant role of pre-procedural imaging.

Network geometry of evidence from randomised controlled trials addressing donor selection and source of haematopoietic progenitor cells used in allogeneic transplantation: a systematic scoping review.

Background And Methods: A scoping review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) addressing source of cells and choice of donor for allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) was performed to create a network of best evidence that allows us to identify new potential indirect comparisons for the strategic development of future studies that connect to the existing evidence network.

Results: A total of 19 eligible RCTs (2589 total patients) were identified. Nine studies (1566 patients) compared clinical outcomes following the use of peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) with bone marrow (BM) from matched related donors (eight studies) or matched unrelated donors (one study).

Inception of the 'endocarditis team' is associated with improved survival in patients with infective endocarditis who are managed medically: findings from a before-and-after study.

Objective: Despite improvements in its management, infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with poor survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a multidisciplinary endocarditis team (ET), including a cardiologist, microbiologist and a cardiac surgeon, on the outcome of patients with acute IE according to medical or surgical treatment strategies.

Methods: We conducted an observational before-and-after study of 196 consecutive patients with definite IE, who were treated at a tertiary reference centre between 2009 and 2015.

Pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome.

The metabolic syndrome-otherwise called syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome, Reaven syndrome, and "the deadly quartet"-is the name given to the aggregate of clinical conditions comprising central and abdominal obesity, systemic hypertension, insulin resistance (or type 2 diabetes mellitus), and atherogenic dyslipidemia. It is a prothrombotic and proinflammatory state characterized by increased inflammatory cytokine activity. In addition to inflammatory dermatoses such as psoriasis, lichen planus, and hidradenitis suppurativa, metabolic syndrome is also commonly associated with accelerated atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, hyperuricemia/gout, chronic kidney disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

3DTEE imaging of a descending aorta floating thrombus in a patient with calciphylaxis.

We present a case of a 68-year-old man with calciphylaxis, who was found to have a floating thrombus in the descending aorta on a transesophageal echocardiogram. The use of 3D echocardiography demonstrated nicely the free motion of the thrombus, emerging from an atherosclerotic plaque in the descending aorta. Anticoagulation was started for thromboembolism prevention.

A flow bioreactor system compatible with real-time two-photon fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Bioreactors are essential cell and tissue culture tools that allow the introduction of biophysical signals into in vitro cultures. One major limitation is the need to interrupt experiments and sacrifice samples at certain time points for analyses. To address this issue, we designed a bioreactor that combines high-resolution contact-free imaging and continuous flow in a closed system that is compatible with various types of microscopes.

City-Dwellers and Country Folks: Lack of Population Differentiation Along an Urban-Rural Gradient in the Mosquito Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae).

Mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae) occur in natural, urban, and peri-urban areas throughout the globe. Although the characteristics of urban and peri-urban habitats differ from those of natural habitats in many ways (e.g.

Echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function in mouse models of heart disease.

Background: Mouse models of heart disease are extensively employed. The echocardiographic characterization of contractile function is usually focused on systolic function with fewer studies assessing diastolic function. Furthermore, the applicability of diverse echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function that are commonly used in humans has not been extensively evaluated in different pathophysiological models in mice.

Introduction to the Special Issue on Adolescent and Young Adult Health: Why We Care, How Far We Have Come, and Where We Are Going.

This special issue on adolescent and young adult (AYA) health comprises 15 original articles. The special issue recognizes the importance of AYA-focused research, highlights unique issues across the AYA period, and showcases cutting-edge research focused on AYAs. We describe the rationale for focusing on the AYA population, themes of the special issue, and future directions.

Clinical practice of contrast echocardiography: recommendation by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) 2017.

Contrast echocardiography is widely used in cardiology. It is applied to improve image quality, reader confidence and reproducibility both for assessing left ventricular (LV) structure and function at rest and for assessing global and regional function in stress echocardiography. The use of contrast in echocardiography has now extended beyond cardiac structure and function assessment to evaluation of perfusion both of the myocardium and of the intracardiac structures.

Standardized Delineation of Endocardial Boundaries in Three-Dimensional Left Ventricular Echocardiograms.

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is fundamental for left ventricular (LV) assessment. The aim of this study was to determine discrepancies in 3D LV endocardial tracings and suggest tracing guidance.

Methods: Forty-five 3D LV echocardiographic data sets were traced by three experienced operators, from different centers, according to predefined guidelines.

Screening for rheumatic heart disease: is a paradigm shift required?

This focused review presents a critical appraisal of the World Heart Federation criteria for the echocardiographic diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its performance in African RHD screening programmes. It identifies various logistical and methodological problems that negatively influence the current guideline's performance. The authors explore novel RHD screening methodology that could address some of these shortcomings and if proven to be of merit, would require a paradigm shift in the approach to the echocardiographic diagnosis of subclinical RHD.

Design and development of a stepped-care behavioral intervention to support parents of young children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

One of the most common chronic conditions of childhood, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in young children is increasing. Early childhood development complicates optimal T1D management and glycemic outcomes. Parents are at risk for elevated psychological distress, especially immediately following diagnosis.

Occlutech percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure: Safety and efficacy registry (OPPOSE).

Introduction: Safety and efficacy data on patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure with the Occlutech Figulla Flex II device are lacking. We undertook a fully monitored prospective Registry on PFO closure using this device.

Methods: 100 patients undergoing PFO closure were enrolled into the OPPOSE Registry at 6 UK centres.

The safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness of stress echocardiography in patients with high pretest probability of coronary artery disease.

Objective: In this study, we assess the clinical and cost-effectiveness of stress echocardiography (SE), as well as the place of SE in patients with high pretest probability (PTP) of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: We investigated 257 patients with no history of CAD, who underwent SE, and they had a PTP risk score >61% (high PTP). According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance (NICE CG95, 2010), these patients should be investigated directly with an invasive coronary angiogram (ICA).

Three-Dimensional Measurement of Aortic Annulus Dimensions Using Area or Circumference for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Valve Sizing: Does It Make a Difference?

Background: The use of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is increasing worldwide. We present our 6-year experience using three-dimensional (3D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and investigate whether different sizing methods of the aortic annulus lead to different prosthesis size that may impact outcome.

Methods: We investigated 262 patients who underwent TAVR and had 3D TEE data sets of the aortic annulus.

Incidental finding of a membranous interventricular septum aneurysm.

We present the case of a 34-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital due to community-acquired pneumonia and had a transthoracic echocardiogram which revealed an aneurysm of the membranous interventricular septum. This was further investigated with a transesophageal echocardiogram which showed in detail the anatomical features of this very rare condition.

Factors associated with safe early discharge after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background: As transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) becomes more straightforward, a larger proportion of patients will be well enough to be discharged early. This study sought to charac-terise the clinical features that allowed patients to be discharged early after TAVI and to evaluate the safety of an early discharge policy.

Methods: All patients undergoing TAVI at the above cited center from August 2007 to March 2015 were included in this study.

Echocardiographic-Fluoroscopic Fusion Imaging in Transseptal Puncture: A New Technology for an Old Procedure.

In an era of catheter-based structural heart disease and left-side electrophysiologic interventions, transseptal puncture (TSP) is probably the most common transcatheter procedure. Experienced interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists may safely perform TSP using fluoroscopic guidance alone. However, at present TSP is usually the first step in complex percutaneous catheter-based structural heart disease procedures and necessitate a precise site-specific TSP.

Cross-linked Collagen Hydrogel Matrix Resisting Contraction To Facilitate Full-Thickness Skin Equivalents.

Full-thickness skin equivalents are gathering increased interest as skin grafts for the treatment of large skin defects or chronic wounds or as nonanimal test platforms. However, their fibroblast-mediated contraction and poor mechanical stability lead to disadvantages toward their reproducibility and applicability in vitro and in vivo. To overcome these pitfalls, we aimed to chemically cross-link the dermal layer of a full-thickness skin model composed of a collagen type I hydrogel.

Simultaneous Transseptal Para-Ring Leak Closure and Transcatheter Mitral Valve Implantation for the Treatment of Surgical Mitral Repair Failure.

Repeat cardiac surgery in patients with a previous sternotomy is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While transcatheter aortic valve implantation in high risk surgical patients is now well established, experience with transcatheter mitral valve replacement is still at an early stage. Although many successful reports of transcatheter mitral valve replacements now exist, the predominant approach has been via a transapical approach.